Kaikoura

Sculptor cooks up new Kiwi icon

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Get your tiki biki here in Kaikoura

Pool to open this weekend

Kaikoura Star

The Kaikoura Lions swimming pool looks set to reopen to the public on Saturday, November 21, and reopen to groups and schools on Monday, November 23.

Trucks involved in three crashes

Kaikoura Star

The driver of a truck which crashed on State Highway 1 on Thursday morning can count himself lucky there was not a more serious outcome after he had to be freed from his cab by emergency services.

Students experience hands-on history lesson

Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura High School Year 9 students had a hands-on learning experience last week when John Orchard, from Heritage Education in Blenheim, came to the school to stage a re-enactment of the Wairau Affray.

Injuries hinder fitness promotion

Kaikoura Star

A torn hamstring and an injured tibia part-way through her epic challenge meant that Lisa Tamati was running a day later than planned on her Running Hot tour of New Zealand when she arrived in Kaikoura last week.

Challenge takes off

Kaikoura Star

Christmas Food Bank Challenge organiser Nicky Mayne says the feedback and support so far for this year's food bank appeal is a great sign that the day will be a huge success.

Successful training exercise

Kaikoura Star

The staff of St John Kaikoura have enjoyed a successful training exercise which also served as part of the emergency planning procedures for Glenstrae Farm's four-wheel adventure tours.

Qualmark gold for Dolphin Encounter

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Encounter Kaikoura has become the third Kaikoura business to be awarded Qualmark's prestigious Enviro-Gold certification.

World accolade for Whale Watch

Kaikoura Star

Whale Watch Kaikoura was named overall winner of the Responsible Tourism Award 2009 at an awards ceremony held as part of World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in London last week.

Closed for a good cause

Kaikoura Star

Bank of New Zealand branches and store offices were "closed for good" on Wednesday, November 4 as a nationwide initiative was rolled out in which BNZ staff were encouraged to get out in their local communities and help with projects such as painting, cleaning and gardening.

Present site not viable for `modern' hospital

Kaikoura Star

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates says public consultation is still very much on the cards regarding the new health facilities for Kaikoura and says once there is something to report, the community will be invited to become involved in a consultation process.

Co-operation to rescue

Kaikoura Star

Two boats which encountered problems on Friday were rescued safely off the coast of Kaikoura thanks to the intervention of both the Kaikoura Coastguard and tour operators.

Number plate switch

Kaikoura Star

A number plate stolen from Gill's Construction yard on Friday night was put on a vehicle which was used in a petrol drive-off at the BP service station about 8.50pm on Saturday.

Musician finds kindred spirits

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Scott Bowater has had a long love affair with music

Spud entries now open

Kaikoura Star

Popular spud in the bag competition is almost upon us.

Adventurous fundraisers

Kaikoura Star

British backpacker Mark Riley and his teddy are travelling the world to take on various adventures in an effort to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Man failed to return rental

Kaikoura Star

Three people were caught for drink-driving offences over the weekend.

Exciting concert programme

By Emma Dangerfield - Kaikoura Star

Fyffe House's increasingly popular Music on the Lawn afternoon is looking as if it will be even bigger this year than last, with a wide range of local artists already lined up.

Farm planning workshop

Kaikoura Star

Are you involved in the farming community and struggling to prioritise what is really important in your daily chores?

Kayak operator gains new ticket

Kaikoura Star

Operations managers from the Nelson/Tasman area were assessed last month for their sea kayak Level 1 Instructor qualification.

Birds need your help

Kaikoura Star

Hutton's shearwaters are crash landing around Kaikoura

Bikers protest ACC levies during Key visit

Kaikoura Star

A group of bikers were among those at the launch of the new Whale Watch vessel, wanting to do their bit to let the Prime Minister know their feelings on the steep increase in ACC levies for motorcycles.

Survey ideas put to work at cinema

Kaikoura Star

More Art House movies and fundraising gala events are on the cards for the Mayfair Theatre.

Information sought about stolen dinghy

Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura police are appealing for information about the theft of a boat last Monday night.

PM launches new boat

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Prime Minister John Key spent last Thursday in Kaikoura where he officially launched the latest addition to the Whale Watch Kaikoura fleet in Kaikoura, the new boat Wawahia.

Icon honours priests

Kaikoura Star

This year the Catholic Church is celebrating the Year for Priests and to commemorate the occasion an icon of St John Vianney is touring the country.

Organ concert coming up

Kaikoura Star

St Pauls Presbyterian Church organ has delighted many over the years, providing at least two concerts each year and more when possible.

Yellow chocolate taste test on tour

Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura got a taste of a new chocolate sensation last week when Josh Winger rode into town on his yellow bike to try out his yellow chocolate on the general public.

Alcohol meeting cancelled

Kaikoura Star

Organisers of an upcoming public meeting on alcohol have cancelled the scheduled event in Kaikoura next Monday due to perceived lack of interest.

Takings down but great day at trots

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Figures were down from last year at Monday's Tui Trotting Club Kaikoura Raceday, however club president Barry Ford said he was encouraged with the number of people through the gates.

Pole snapped, power off

Kaikoura Star

Power was cut to parts of Kaikoura, including West End, on Friday at 11am after a truck knocked down a power pole in Ludstone Rd.

Pets, art on show

Kaikoura Star

Woodbank School held its annual open day last Tuesday with parents, pets and pre-school children joining them for the day.

Less well off to benefit from Christmas event

Kaikoura Star

This year's Christmas celebrations at the Village Green will be taking on a different form.

Trainer just can't stop

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

For Kaikoura trainer Grant Anderson, training horses is a way of life, and one which he finds impossible to walk away from.

Popular country entertainers take to the stage in Kaikoura

Kaikoura Star

The Heart of the Country bus trip is planned again for next weekend and will be bringing some great country and western artists to town for a concert on Saturday November 7.

Whale trip story wins school cash

Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura Primary School's year four students are buzzing after winning a writing competition recently.

Ngai Tahu pleased with $13m surplus

Kaikoura Star

Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu has announced a net surplus of $13.3m for its commercial entities amid a climate of testing global market conditions.

Damage potentially dangerous

Kaikoura Star

Damage and vandalism to traffic signs around the district is causing concern for Kaikoura District Council asset manager Gallo Saidy, who says it is becoming a constant problem.

Buyers, sellers, valuers busy at antiques fair

Kaikoura Star

A very successful antiques and collectibles fair attracted more than 280 people through the door on Monday, raising more than $1300 for the Kaikoura Seaward Lions town clock project.

Suspects flee when followed by police

Kaikoura Star

Armed police were called out on Saturday night after a vehicle was spotted which was thought to contain at least one man wanted by Christchurch police.

Paa Wars bind people together as family

By LES HOERARA - Kaikoura Star

"Here mai ngaa taura taangata ki ngaa taura waka kia kootahi ai taatou i a taatou anoo, kei raro i te kaupapa ake o te whakawhaanaungatanga". Bind together the ties of the human qualities so that they are one under the mantle of family.

Big welcome for special baby

By EMMA DANGERFIELD - Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura's maternity unit is pleased to announce the arrival of its first "planned" birth, last week, marking the reopening of the unit which closed to planned births at the end of 2003.

Clarence open to 4WD visits

Kaikoura Star

Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts are encouraged to take advantage of 4WD weekends in the Clarence Reserve area of Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park near Kaikoura over the next five months.

Steam locomotive draws crowd

Kaikoura Star

A crowd of train enthusiasts turned out at Kaikoura station last week to catch a glimpse of the AB663 Mainline Steam locomotive train as it passed through town en route south as part of the annual three-week New Zealand Steam Tour.

Generosity welcomed

Kaikoura Star

The Christmas shoe box appeal is over for another year and organiser Lisa Bond is praising yet another amazing effort from the Kaikoura community.

Volleyballers impress

Kaikoura Star

The sport of volleyball is becoming quite popular in Kaikoura.

SunSmart-ness rewarded

Kaikoura Star

Suburban School is the first school in the Kaikoura region to be awarded its SunSmart accreditation.

Ultimatum over stock crossings

Kaikoura Star

Kaikoura District Council is negotiating with local farmers over the maintenance of the district's stock crossings to ensure a satisfactory solution is reached to the issue.